How do I remove an internal brick wall?
Question:I have checked and its not load bearing & the surveyor says its ok to take down. Any tips would be relaly appreciated on method & if its easy to do yourself. And how to make it look ok afterwards. Thanks
Answers:
too much of an open question to give a step-by-step answer
clear the rooms !
clear the ceiling near to the wall to see just what its holding up...don't trust a survey unless they have done this. there is nothing to say the previous owner followed the rules. All sorts of stuff hangs off partition walls in houses without it being on plans.
If you can run your fingers all along the wall then yep, get the lump hammer out and take it down a few bricks at a time.
If, once you have exposed the top of the wall, you find it touching something above it, get a builder to give it the once over. Needs a bit of experience just to "guess" what the wall might be propping up
what would you be making good afterwards, there is no wall left ? Patch the ceiling with plasterboard and concrete the hole in the floor
Start near the bottom with a hammer and chisel. Once you have a hole the wall is weakened and then you use a sledge hammer to remove the rest. There is no easy way to do this so be carefull!
Once you are POSITIVE that it's not load bearing rent a demolition hammer and start at the bottom on one end. Bricks aren't designed to stay up with nothing underneath them so if you take out a few at the bottom the rest will come down fairly easily. I'd also suggest you get some scrap plywood to put down on the floor so it isn't destroyed by falling brick. A hard hat, gloves and some safety glasses would also be a very good idea. It is safer to start from the top but slower, put the chisel at the mortar and the bricks should pop loose very easily. Watch your toes, those suckers hurt when they land on your foot. Oh, if you start from the bottom, only do a couple of rows at a time so you don't have the entire wall fall down and through your floor.
If it is not a load bearing wall that means there are no joists resting on the wall. Start from the top. Use a hammer, a chisel and probably a drill to remove the first brick. A crow bar and a mallet will also be useful. You must wear a breathing mask and goggles for this job. When the top course of bricks is removed, the rest should be easy. Remove one course of bricks at a time.
The ceiling will have to be re-plastered. Look at the way the ceiling was constructed and try to do the same.
Wear safety glasses. Hammering out the bricks will send bits of brick flying.
With a big hammer!
Knock a hole about half way up, remove bricks to make a V up to the top and then just keep going with the V shape. Plaster will tidy the shape up but plasterboard will cover up if its too ugly or uneven
There are many questions to ask. But, one is: what's behind the brick? I can't personally imagine anyone taking down a brick wall. But, I assume it's to expand a room. Just plain ole hard work. Get a hammer and a chisel and start on the seams. Eventually, you'll have a pile of brick, do not throw them away, sell them. As far as finishing it you'll need to wait and find out what you have left.
IF IT IS NOT LOAD BEARING CAN YOU CLEAR ROOMS OR COVER WITH DUST SHEETS THEN USE ASTILL SAW MUTCH QUICKER
WOAH Having read some of the replies DO NOT start at the bottom of the wall unless you want the rest of the wall around your shoulders. You have stated the wall is not load bearing so either the wall goes just above ceiling height or the wall was built up to the ceiling. I usually put a sheet of sturdy plywood on the floor each side to save the dents.The correct way is to start at the top, making a hole away from the corner just below ceiling height is easier. working along and down the wall knocking bricks out, personally I hit the bricks loose then drop them straight into a barrow placed close by to save double handling the rubble
Start at the top. Use a circular saw with a masonry blade to cut the mortar away top and bottom from a couple of bricks. You will need to do that from both sides.
A few heavy blows on the joint should dislodge both bricks.
The saw can also be used to make nice straight cuts.
With a large sledge hammer and a lot of man power.
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